For immediate release
KOOTENAY, B.C., October 15, 2010 – The Honourable Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation and the Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women, has announced a $16.3 million dollar investment in the Kingsgate Border Crossing. The investment will both boost economic activity in the Kootenay region, and help the Canada Border Service Agency ensure the safe and smooth flow of goods between the Canada – U.S. border.
"Our government's Economic Action Plan continues to focus on projects across the country that can be accelerated and funded now," said M.P. Abbott. "This is a significant boost to the Kootenay economy and a major expansion to the infrastructure of an important border crossing in our region. In fact, we anticipate that approximately 50 jobs will be created locally."
The Calgary firm of Bird Design-Build Construction Inc. was awarded a contract worth over $16 million through a competitive process to design and build this significant expansion and upgrade of the border crossing. Kingsgate is located approximately 80 km southwest of Cranbrook, B.C.
The development had been included in future plans for both Public Works and Government Services Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency, but the Economic Action Plan has allowed the agencies to accelerate the development.
M.P. Abbott concluded: "The Kootenay region continues to play a strong economic role in the movement of goods and services between Canada and the U.S., and by improving the quality of the Kingsgate Crossing, we're ensuring that this vital link is prepared for the future."
A list of the key contract elements is included in the attached backgrounder.
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For further information, media should contact:
Rebecca Thompson
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada
819-997-5421
Derek Wolff
Senior Communications Advisor
Public Works and Government Services Canada
604-775-6849
Canada Border Services Agency
613-957-6500
PWGSC news releases are also available on our Internet site at http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/medias-media/index-eng.html
BACKGROUNDER
Kingsgate Border Crossing Project
The Kingsgate Border Crossing project is part of the Infrastructure at Ports of Entry initiative, a key element of the Government's Economic Action Plan designed to accelerate the modernization and expansion of Canada Border Services Agency facilities.
On behalf of the Canada Border Services Agency, Public Works and Government Services Canada awarded a contract for over $16 million to Bird Design-Build Construction Inc. through a competitive process to design and build this significant expansion and upgrade of the border crossing.
The Kingsgate Border Crossing is located on Highway 95, approximately 80 kilometres southwest of Cranbrook, B.C., and is opposite the Eastport, Idaho, border crossing.
The design–build contract includes:
- A single storey, 1,220 m2 main port office for the processing of travellers in automobiles and recreational vehicles;
- A single story, 450 m2, commercial building for the processing of commercial truck traffic and tour buses;
- A primary inspection canopy complete with three inspection booths;
- A secondary inspection canopy for five inspection bays;
- A tertiary garage, for more intensive inspection of vehicles, measuring approximately 20 m2;
- A single storey service building, approximately 75 m2;
- A sheltered platform adjacent to the Canadian Pacific Railway track which provides officers some measure of protection as they investigate CPR train traffic;
- A secure seized vehicle compound;
- Separate parking lots for outbound visitors, inbound visitors, commercial trucks, staff and port vehicles;
- Roads, access lanes and manoeuvring space to allow visitors to "Return to Canada" and "Return to U.S.A.";
- A system for the collection, and treatment as required, of surface drainage water;
- Requirement for water wells to support demand generated by new facilities, including irrigation;
- Requirement for on-site septic systems;
- Connection to power and communication services;
- Environmental and sustainable landscape treatment.